gadfly

noun

gad·fly ˈgad-ˌflī How to pronounce gadfly (audio)

: any of various flies (such as a horsefly, botfly, or warble fly) that bite or annoy livestock

: a person who stimulates or annoys other people especially by persistent criticism

a political gadfly

Did you know?

The Gadfly of Athens

The history of gadfly starts with gad, which now means "chisel" but which formerly could designate a spike, spear, or rod for goading cattle. Late in the 16th century, gad was joined with fly to designate any of several insects that aggravate livestock. Before too long, we began applying gadfly to people who annoy or provoke others. One of history's most famous gadflies was the philosopher Socrates, who was known for his constant questioning of his fellow Athenians' ethics, misconceptions, and assumptions. In his Apology, Plato describes Socrates' characterization of Athens as a large and sluggish horse and of Socrates himself as the fly that bites and rouses it. Many translations use gadfly in this portion of the Apology, and Socrates is sometimes referred to as the "gadfly of Athens."

Example Sentences

the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics

Recent Examples on the Web Svetlana Zalizetskaya is a one-woman media institution in Melitopol, a gadfly and a muckraker who has worked as a journalist in the city for two decades.

Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022 There is, of course, a connection between one’s inner gadfly and one’s ability to deliberate with others.

Martha Bayles, WSJ, 24 June 2022 Other readers, in a suitably gadfly mode, may disagree with this criticism.

Martha Bayles, WSJ, 24 June 2022 In August, 2020, Navalny, a persistent gadfly on the rump of a totalitarian state, was poisoned during a trip to Tomsk, in Siberia.

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2022 Richard Bellamy, the founder of the influential Green Gallery; and Henry Geldzahler, the all-purpose art-world gadfly and a fledgling curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Mark Rozzo, The New Yorker, 12 May 2022 That said, Scott isn’t some irrelevant gadfly, either.

Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 11 May 2022 She was aided by the maverick campaign of ultranationalist gadfly Eric Zemmour, whose snarling anti-immigrant, anti-establishment rhetoric has made Le Pen — a far-right mainstay for years — look comparatively moderate.

Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2022 Well, Ishmael, in making that statement, fulfills his obligation as a satirist, as a gadfly, as the court jester.

David Remnick, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2022 See More

单词	gadfly
释义	gadfly noun gad·fly ˈgad-ˌflī 1 : any of various flies (such as a horsefly, botfly, or warble fly) that bite or annoy livestock 2 : a person who stimulates or annoys other people especially by persistent criticism a political gadfly Did you know? The Gadfly of Athens The history of gadfly starts with gad, which now means "chisel" but which formerly could designate a spike, spear, or rod for goading cattle. Late in the 16th century, gad was joined with fly to designate any of several insects that aggravate livestock. Before too long, we began applying gadfly to people who annoy or provoke others. One of history's most famous gadflies was the philosopher Socrates, who was known for his constant questioning of his fellow Athenians' ethics, misconceptions, and assumptions. In his Apology, Plato describes Socrates' characterization of Athens as a large and sluggish horse and of Socrates himself as the fly that bites and rouses it. Many translations use gadfly in this portion of the Apology, and Socrates is sometimes referred to as the "gadfly of Athens." Synonyms annoyance annoyer bother gnawer nudnik nudnick nuisance pain persecutor pest tease teaser See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics Recent Examples on the Web Svetlana Zalizetskaya is a one-woman media institution in Melitopol, a gadfly and a muckraker who has worked as a journalist in the city for two decades. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 May 2022 There is, of course, a connection between one’s inner gadfly and one’s ability to deliberate with others. Martha Bayles, WSJ, 24 June 2022 Other readers, in a suitably gadfly mode, may disagree with this criticism. Martha Bayles, WSJ, 24 June 2022 In August, 2020, Navalny, a persistent gadfly on the rump of a totalitarian state, was poisoned during a trip to Tomsk, in Siberia. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2022 Richard Bellamy, the founder of the influential Green Gallery; and Henry Geldzahler, the all-purpose art-world gadfly and a fledgling curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mark Rozzo, The New Yorker, 12 May 2022 That said, Scott isn’t some irrelevant gadfly, either. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 11 May 2022 She was aided by the maverick campaign of ultranationalist gadfly Eric Zemmour, whose snarling anti-immigrant, anti-establishment rhetoric has made Le Pen — a far-right mainstay for years — look comparatively moderate. Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2022 Well, Ishmael, in making that statement, fulfills his obligation as a satirist, as a gadfly, as the court jester. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology gad entry 1 + fly entry 4 First Known Use 1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition gadfly noun gad·fly ˈgad-ˌflī plural gadflies 1 : a large biting fly 2 : a person who annoys others especially with constant criticism Medical Definition gadfly noun gad·fly ˈgad-ˌflī plural gadflies : any of various flies (as a horsefly, botfly, or warble fly) that bite or annoy livestock gadfly noun as in nuisance one who is obnoxiously annoying the journalist was known as a gadfly for exposing hypocrisy in politics Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance nuisance annoyer pest annoyance tease persecutor nudnik bother gnawer headache pain heckler nudnick interrupter teaser tormentor pain in the neck plague tormenter harrier harasser torturer interruptor molester hassle Antonyms & Near Antonyms charmer smoothie comforter soother smoothy solacer
随便看	holed holed out holed up holeless holeproof holer holes holes out holes up holes-in-the-wall holey holey dollar Holguín Holi holia holibuts holiday holiday disease holiday flag holiday season holiday weekend holidayed holidayer holidayers holidaying

gadfly

noun

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Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

noun